TEN YEARS AFTER ALEXANDRE DUMAS
CHAPTER 23 M Baisemeaux de Montlezun's Accounts
The clock of St Paul was striking seven as Aramis, on horseback, dressed
as a simple citizen, that is to say, in colored suit, with no distinctive mark about him, except a kind of hunting-kmite by his side, passed before the Rue du Petit-Musc, and stopped opposite the Rue des Tournelles, at the gate of the Bastile Two sentinels were on duty al the gate; they made no difficulty about admithng Aramis, who entered without
cdismounting, and they pointed out the way he was to go by a long passage with buildings on both sides This passage led to the drawbridge, or, in other words, to the real entrance The drawbridge was down, and the duty of the day was about being entered upon The sentinel at the outer
guardhouse stopped Aramuis’s further progress, asking him, in a rough tone of voice, what had brought him there Aramis explamed, with his usual politeness, that a wish to speak to M Baisemeaux de Montlezun had occasioned bis visit The first sentinel then summoned a second
Trang 2grating, and inspected the new arrival most attentively Aramis
reiterated the expression of his wish to see the governor; whereupon the sentinel called to an officer of lower grade, who was walking about im a tolerably spacious courtyard and who, in turn, on being informed of his
object, ran to seck one of the officers of the governor's staff The
latter, after having listened to Aramis’s request, begged him to wait a moment, then went away a short distance, but returned to ask his name
"T cannot tell it you, monsieur,” said Aramis; “I need only mention that Ihave matters of such importance to communicate to the governor, that I
can only rely beforehand upon one thing, that M de Baiserneaux wil be delighted to see me; nay, more than that, when you have told him that it is the person whom he expected on the first of June, [am convinced he will hasten here himself." The officer could not possibly believe that a man of the governor's importance should put himself out for a person of so little umportance as the citizen-looking visitor on horseback "It happens most fortunately, monsicur,” he said, “that the governor is just going out, and you can perceive his carriage with the horses already harnessed, in the courtyard yonder; there will be no occasion for him to come fo meet you, as he will see you as he passes by.” Aramis bowed to signify his assent; he did not wish to inspire others with too exalted an opinion of himself, and therefore waited patiently and in silence,
Trang 3when the governor's carriage was observed to move The governor appeared at the door, and got into the carriage, which immediately prepared to
start The same cerernony was observed for the governor himself as with a suspected stranger; the sentinel] at the lodge advanced as the carriage was about to pass under the arch, and the governor opened the carriage-
door, himself setting the example of obedience to orders; so that, in
this way, the sentinel could convince himself that no one quitted the Bastile improperly The carriage rolled along under the archway, but at the moment the tron-gate was opened, the officer approached the carriage, which had again been stopped, and said something to the governor, who immediately put his head out of the door-way, and perceived Aramis on horseback at the end of the drawbridge He immediately uttered almost a shout of delight, and got out, or rather darted out of his carriage,
running towards Aramis, whose hands he seized, making a thousand apologies He almost embraced him "What a difficult matter to enter the Bastile!" said Aramis “Is it the same for those who are sent here against their wills, as for those who come of their own accord?”
"A thousand pardons, my lord How delighted Iam to see your Grace!"
“Hush! What are you thinking of, my dear M Batsemeaux’? What do you
ope }
Trang 4"Pray, excuse me, I had forgotten Take this gentleman's horse to the
‡
stables," cried Batsemeaux
"No, no,” said Aramis; "[ have five thousand pistoles in the saddle-bags."
The governor's countenance became so radiant, that if the prisoners had seen him they would have imagined some prince of the royal blood had arrived "Yes, you are right, the horse shall be taken to the government house Will you get into the carriage, my dear M d'Herblay? and it shall take us back to may house, "
"Get info a carriage to cross a courtyard! do you believe | am so great an invalid? No, no, we will go on foot.”
Baisermeaux then offered his arm as a support, but the prelate did not accept it They arrived tm this manner at the government house,
Baisemeaux rubbing his hands and glancing at the horse from time to time, while Aramis was looking at the bleak bare walls A tolerably handsome vestibule and a staircase of white stone led to the governor's
apartments, who crossed the ante-chamber, the dining-room, where
Trang 5himself with his guest in a large cabinet, the windows of which opened obliquely upon the courtyard and the stables Baisemeaux installed the prelate with that all-inclusive politeness of which a good man, ora grateful man, alone possesses the secret An arm-chair, a footstool, a small table beside him, on which to rest his hand, everything was prepared by the governor bimself, With his own hands, too, he placed upon the table, with much solicitude, the bag containing the gold, which one of the soldiers had brought up with the most respectful devotion; and the soldier having left the room, Baisemeaux himself closed the door afier him, drew aside one of the window-curtains, and looked steadfastly at Aramis to see if the prelate required anything further
"Well, my lord," he said, sull standing up, “of all men of their word,
you shail continue to be the most punctual.”
°
“In matters of busimess, dear M de Baisemeaux, exactitude is not a
virtue only, itis a duty as well.”
"Yes, in matters of business, certainly; but what you have with me is not
of that character; it is a service you are rendering me.”
Trang 6exactitude, you have not been without a little uneasiness.”
"About your health, I certainly have,” stammered out Batsemeaus
"1 wished to come here yesterday, but | was not able, as L was too fatigued,” continued Aramis Batsemeaux anxiously shipped another cushion behind his guest's back "But," continued Aramis, "I promised myself to come and pay you a visit to-day, early in the morning.”
“You are really very kind, my lord.”
“And it was a good thing for me [ was punctual, I think."
"What do you mean?"
“Yes, you were gomeg out.” At which latter remark Baisemeaux colored and said, “It is true [ was going out.”
"Then | prevent you," said Aramis; whereupon the embarrassment of Baisemeaux became visibly preater “Lam putting you to inconvenience," he continued, fixing a keen glace upon the poor governor; "if [had known
††
Trang 7“How can your lordship imagine that you could ever inconvenience me?"
"Confess you were going in search of money.”
"No," stammered out Baisemeaux, "no! Tassure you I was gomg to - `
"Does the governor still intend to go to M Fouguet?” suddenly called out
the major from below Baiserneaux ran to the window like a madman "No,
no, he exclaimed in a state of desperation, "who the deuce is speaking of M Pouquet? are you drunk below there’? why am [Limterrupted when | am engaged on business?"
"You were gomg to M Pouquet's,” said Aramis, biting his lips, “to M Fouquet, the abbe, or the superintendent?"
Baisemeaux almost made up his mind to tell an untruth, but he could not summon courage to do so "To the superntendent,” he said
Trang 8“Lassure you, my lord - "
"You were afraid?”
"My dear lord, it was the uncertainty and ignorance in which I was as to where you were to be found.”
"You would have found the money you require at M Fouquet’s, for he is a man whose hand ts always open."
“| swear that I should never have ventured to ask M Fouquet for money Lonly wished to ask him for your address."
"Po ask M Pouquet for my address?” exclaimed Aramis, opening his eyes in
real astonishment
"Yes," said Batsemeaux, greatly disturbed by the glance which the prelate fixed upon him, - "at M Fouquet's certamly.”
Trang 9“Phat Dmuight write to you.”
"Tunderstand,” said Aramis smiling, “but that is not what l meant; I do
not ask you what you required my address for: Tonty ask why you should go to M Fouquet for it?"
"Ohi" said Baisemeaux, "as Belle-Isie is the property of M Fouguet, and as Belle-Isie is in the diocese of Vannes, and as you are bishop of
qf
Vannes -
“But, my dear Baisermeaux, since you knew I was bishop of Vannes, you had mo occasion to ask M Fouquet for my address."
"Well, monsieur,” sai Baiserneaux, completely at bay, “if Lhave acted indiscreetly, | bee your pardon most sincerely."
“Nonsense,” observed Aramis calmly: "how can you possibly have acted
indiscreetly?” And while he composed his face, and continued to smile
cheerfully on the governor, he was considermg how Baisemeaux, who was
Trang 10accounts?"
"Lam at your orders, my lord; but tell me beforehand, my lord, whether you will do me the honor to breakfast with me as usual?”
“Very willingly, indeed.”
That's well,” said Baisemeaux, as he struck the bell before him three
times
“What does that mean?" inquired Aramis
"That [have some one to breakfast with me, and that preparations are to
ụ
be made accordingly
“And you rang thrice Really, my dear governor, I begin to think you are acting ceremoniously with me."
"No, mdeed Besides, the least [can do is to receive you in the best
way Ì can."
Trang 11“Because not even a prince could have done what you have done for me."
"Nonsense! nonsense!”
"May, lL assure you - "
"Let us speak of other matters,” said Aramis "Or rather, tell me how
your affairs here are getting on."
"Not over well.”
"The deuce!"
"M de Mazarin was not hard enough.”
“Yes, [see; you require a government full of suspicion - like that of
the old cardinal, for instance.”
"Yes; matters went on better under him The brother of his ‘gray
Trang 12“Believe me, my dear governor,” said Aramis, drawing closer to
Baisemeaux, "a young king is well worth an old cardinal Youth has tts suspicions, its fits of anger, its prejudices, as old age has its
hatreds, its precautions, and its fears Have you paid your three years’ profits to Louvidre and Tremblay?"
“Most certainly I have.”
"So that you have nothing more to give them than the hifty thousand francs [have brought with me?"
“Nothing.”
"Have you not saved anything, then?"
“My lord, in giving the fifty thousand francs of my own to these gentlemen, L assure you that I gave them everything I gain [told M d’Artagnan so yesterday evening.”
"Abi" said Aramis, whose eyes sparkled for a moment, but became
Trang 13"Wonderfully well.”
"And what did you say to him, M de Baisemeaux?"
“| told bim,” continued the governor, not perceiving bis own thoughtlessness; "I told him that [ fed my prisoners too well.”
"How many have you?” inquired Aramis, in an indifferent tone of voice
“Sixty.”
"Well, that is a tolerably round number.”
"In former times, my lord, there were, during certain years, as many as
two hundred.”
“Still a minimum of sixty is not to be grumbied at.”
Trang 14“Only you have no prince of the blood; at least, I suppose so,” said
°
Aramis, with a sheht tremor in bis voice
"No, thank heaven! - I mean, no, unfortunately.”
py
“What do you mean by unfortunately’
"Because my appointment would be improved by i So fifty francs per day for a prince of the blood, thirty-six for a marechal of France - "
“But you have as many marechals of France, [ suppose, as you have princes
of the blood?"
“Alas! no more It is true heutenant-generals and brigadiers pay twenty-
six francs, and I have two of them After that, come councilors of
parliament, who bring me fifteen francs, and | have six of them.”
"I did not know," said Aramis, "that councilors were so productive.”
“Yes; but from fifteen francs [ sink at once to ten francs; namely, for
Trang 15"And you have seven, you say; an excellent affair,”
"Nay, a bad one, and for this reason How can [ possibly treat these poor fellows, who are of some good, at all events, otherwise than as a councilor of parhament?”
"Yes, you are right; [do not see five francs difference between them.”
“You understand: if [have a fine fish, I pay four or five francs for it; if i get a fine fowl, it cost mea franc and a half, [fatten a good
deal of poultry, but [have to buy grain, and you cannot imagine the army of rats that infest this place."
“Why not get half a dozen cats to deal with them?”
“Cats, indeed; yes, they eat them, but I was obliged to give up the idea because of the way in which they treated my grain [have been obliged to have some terrier dogs sent me from England to kill the rats These dogs, unfortunately, have tremendous appetites; they eat as much as a prisoner of the fiith order, without taking into account the rabbits and
Trang 16Was Aramis really listening or not? No one could have told; his downcast eyes showed the attentive man, but the restless hand betrayed the man absorbed in thought - Aramis was meditating
“Twas saying,” continued Baisernmeaux, "that a good-sized fowl costs me a franc and a half, and that a fine fish costs me four or five francs
Three meais are served at the Bastile, and, as the prisoners, having
Trang 17“You are quite right, my dear governor; but have you no prisoners below
ten francs?”
"Oh, yes! we have citizens and barristers at five francs."
“And do they eat, too?"
"Not a doubt about it; only you understand that they do not get fish or poultry, nor rich wines at every meal; but at all events thrice a week they have a good dish at their diner.”
"Really, you are quite a philanthropist, my dear governor, and you will ruin yourself.”
“No; understand me; when the fifteen-franc has not eaten his fowl, or the ten-franc has left his dish unfinished, I send tt to the five-franc
prisoner; it is a feast for the poor devil, and one must be charitable,
t†
you know,
Trang 18"A franc and a half.”
"Baisemeaux, you're an honest fellow; mn honest truth [say so.”
“Phank you, my lord But [feel most for the small tradesmen and bailiffs’ clerks, who are rated at three francs They do not often see Rhine carp or Channel sturgeon.”
"But do not the five-franc gentlemen sometimes leave some scraps?"
“Ont my lord, do not beheve lam so stingy as that; | delight the heart of some poor little tradesman or clerk by sending him a wing of a red partridge, a slice of venison, or a slice of a truffled pasty, dishes which he never tasted except in bis dreams; these are the leavings of the twenty-four-franc prisoners; and as he eats and drinks, at dessert he cries ‘Long live the King,’ and blesses the Bastile; with a couple
bottles of champagne, which cast me five sous, | make him tipsy every Sunday That class of people call down blessings upon me, and are sorry to leave the prison Do you know that I have remarked, and it does me infinite honor, that certain prisoners, who have been set at liberty,
Trang 19re
is really the fact
Aramis smiled with an expression of incredulity
"You smile,” said Baisemeaux
"T do," returned Aramis
"Ttell you that we have names which have been inscribed on our books thrice in the space of two years.”
“TL must see it before [believe it," said Aramis
"Well, Dcan show it to you, although it is prohibited to communicate the registers to strangers; and if you really wish to see it with your own
f eyes -
"T should be delighted, I confess.”
"Very well" said Baisemeaux, and he took out of a cupboard a large register Aramis followed him most anxiously with his eyes, and
Trang 20the leaves for a minute, and stayed at the letter M
"Look here," said he, “"Martinier, January, 1659; Martimer, Jane, 1660; Martimer, March, 1661 Mazannades, etc.; you understand it was only a
pretext; people were not sent to the Bastile for jokes against M
Mazarin; the fellow denounced himself mm order to get imprisoned here.”
"And what was his object?"
t†
“None other than to return to my kitchen at three francs a day
“Three francs - poor devil!”
“The poet, my lord, belongs to the lowest scale, the same style of board as the small tradesman and bailifi's clerk; but I repeat, it is to those people that | give these little surprises.”
Aramis mechanically turned over the leaves of the register, continuing to read the names, but without appearing to take any interest in the names
he read
Trang 21erghty alsa.”
"AbI" said Aramis “Seldon; [seem to know that name Was it not you who spoke to me about a certain young man?”
“Yes, a poor devil of a student, who made - What do you call that where two Latin verses rhyme together?”
"A distich.”
“Yes; that is tt."
"Poor fellow; for a distich.”
"Do you know that he made this distich against the Jesuits?”
“That makes no difference, the punishment seems very severe Do not pity him; last year you seemed to interest yourself in him."
Yes, I did so."
Trang 22since that time as a prisoner at fifteen francs."
"The same as this one, then,” said Aramis, who had continued turning over
the leaves, and who had stopped at one of the names which followed
Martinier
“Yes, the same as that one.”
"Is that Marchiali an Halian?"” said Aramis, pointing with his finger to
the name which had attracted his attention
"Hush!" said Baisemeaux
"Why hush?" said Aramis, involuntarily clenching his white hand
"| thought Thad already spoken to you about that Marchal."
"No, it is the first time | ever heard his name pronounced.”
"Phat may be, but perhaps I have spoken to you about him without naming
Trang 23“Is he an oki offender?” asked Aramis, attempting to smile
"On the contrary, he is quite young."
"Is his crime, then, very hemous?" “Unpardonable.” "Has he assassinated any one?" "Baht" "An incendiary, then?" "Baht"
“Has he slandered any one?"
"No, no! itis he who - “ and Baisemeaux approached Aramis’s ear, making a sort of ear-trumpet of his hands, and whispered: "It is he who presumes
Trang 24“Yes, yes,” said Aramis; "I now remember you already spoke about it last year to me; but the crime appeared to me so slight.”
"Slight, do you say?"
“Or rather, so mvoluntary.”
"My lord, it is not involuntarily that such a resemblance is detected."
“Well, the fact is, L had forgotten it But, my dear host," said Aramis,
closing the register, "lf Lam not mistaken, we are summoned.”
Baisemeaux took the register, hastily restored it to its place in the closet, which he locked, and put the key in his pocket "Will it be
agreeable to your lordship to breakfast now?" said he; "for you are nght in supposing that breakfast was announced.”